Are you a parent seeking a flexible, ​innovative education solution for ​your child?

At Square Peg Learning Lab, I ​understand the unique challenges ​that come with traditional schooling.

My mission is to provide customized, ​creative alternatives that cater to the ​individual needs of every student.

Alternative K​-5th Educa​tion

Full time or part time personalized ​learning at our homey ​microschool. I believe in student-​led exploration, sprinkled with just ​the right amount of guidance.

Homeschool ​Support

I am here to supplement your ​homeschooling journey with ​flexible drop off days, targeted ​learning clubs, and a variety of ​classes to enrich your educational ​experience.

Special​ Interest/Need​

Whether it's nurturing their ​spiritual education, boosting their ​emotional IQ, or keeping them ​busy after the last school bell ​rings, I’m here with a helping h​and to meet your needs

Our Learning ​Philosophy

Welcome to a world where ​curiosity rules and every hurdle ​is just another exciting puzzle to ​be solved.

Square Peg Learning Lab offers ​a fresh take on learning, putting ​children at the helm of their ​educational journey. It's a place ​where passions come alive, and ​love for learning never fades.

By fostering a nurturing ​environment, I ensure each ​child's potential is not just ​reached, but surpassed. Here, ​there's no such thing as a ​problem, just a fun-filled ​challenge eagerly waiting for a ​creative solution.

Karissa ​Cavanaugh

Fo​under of Square Peg

Hey there, I'm Karissa! Hailing from Leesburg, ​Indiana, I'm a bit of an adventurer when it comes to ​empowering communities and fueling innovation. ​I've got a soft spot for kids, and my vision? To ​revolutionize education in a way that takes care of ​the whole child - heart, spirit, and mind. My ​journey's been all about understanding how our ​little ones grow and learn, and making sure they're ​seen, heard and valued every step of the way in ​their learning journey. Here's to fostering respect ​and giving our kids a voice in their education!

“Working with Karissa both in the public ​school and private/church, I was able to ​witness her perceptive grasp of the needs ​of a child. She uses her skills and gifting to ​help struggling kids not only gain footing, ​but also find their voice in our noisy ​world.”

Pam R. (School Nurse & Kids ​Ministry Volunteer)

“It can be so hard to find teachers and ​caregivers that are not only trustworthy with ​your children but who also truly care about their ​wellbeing and seeing them thrive. Karissa ​checks those boxes and so many more. She is ​intentional with her time with the kids and takes ​the time to fully listen to their desires and hearts ​and match their learning style. She pours her ​effort fully into giving them the best that she has ​to offer. She is just the absolute best!”

Tiffany B. (Homeschool Mom & ​Children’s Ministry Parent)

Interested? Start Here!

To take the next step and learn more, ​please complete the contact form, and I ​will reach out to you. Even if you are ​unsure but curious, let's start a ​conversation!

Square Peg ​Microschool

Grades: K-5

Location: Leesburg

Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:15-3pm

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Kids deserve to love school

The Prenda learning experience is a unique ​approach to education designed to increase ​engagement, motivation, and mental well-being ​as students work to become the strongest version ​of their future selves. -Prenda

Kids in need of one on ​one care

At the moment, my capacity to provide ​individual care for students with ​extensive needs is limited. While I offer ​personalized learning I need to be able to ​work will multiple children at a time.

If you're uncertain whether I can cater to ​your child's specific needs, I warmly invite ​you to get in touch.

Parents/Caregivers Who:

• Seeking a classic approach to ​education
• Value conventional measures of ​success (like grades, worksheets, and ​standardized testing)
• Searching for certified educators

If your educational preferences lean ​towards teacher-led instruction, ​standardized testing, grading, and fixed ​curricula, my pioneering methods may ​not be a good fit for you.

There's a certain joy in ​witnessing the journey of ​a child, as they unfurl ​into their true selves, ​finding their strengths ​and nurturing them. It's ​like watching a beautiful ​story unfold.

My Work with Kids

For over a decade, I’ve been in the fantastic ​world of children, starting as a young teen ​babysitter and nanny. My adventure ​continued with summer camps, an early ​learning center, kids and youth volunteering ​and director of a middle school program, ​finally leading me to serve as a youth and ​children's coordinator in a church. It's been a ​remarkable journey through various ​avenues of kids' engagement! But through ​all of it I have seen the beauty in each child ​and how they can thrive when surrounded ​by caring supportive adults.

My Educational Journey

I pursued two years of early childhood education ​in college and worked as a teacher assistant in a ​local public school preschool. There, I saw ​firsthand how the system often failed to support ​kids who didn’t fit the conventional mold, ​punishing their individuality instead of nurturing it. ​This experience reinforced my belief that I couldn’t ​work within a system that didn’t honor children's ​unique needs and interests.

Having been homeschooled myself, I know the joy ​of learning in a way that is tailored to the ​individual. My family cultivated my gifts and ​passions, allowing me to discover who I was.

However, as a teen and adult, I often felt like a ​square peg in a round hole, encountering systems ​and people who didn’t know how to make space ​for someone who didn’t fit their mold.

Get in touch!

Fill out the Contact Form here!

Students Eligible:

• Indiana Residents between the ages of 5 and 22 before October 1st
• Special needs students with IEP, SP, CSEP, CSP and their siblings
  

Parent Info

• ESA provides parent-driven education options for K-12 students with a ​disability
• ESAs are a combination of your child’s state education funding and your ​child’s APC or special needs dollars
• Covers tuition and fees as well as any approved services.
  

Full Time Microschool - $5,129 (Per child for the ​school year)

We are partnered with Prenda Microschools and this fee includes access to Prenda World ​- the online curriculum based on state standards with rich learning tools for self directed ​learning.

Part Time Microschool - Contact for a quote

The price greatly depends on your needs and if you want to utilize our partners on​line learning platform and learning tools - Prenda, or if you already have a curriculum​ or want​ to explore a different alternative self directed option.

After School Care

$12 an hour per child for as needed or occasional care - must sign up in advance and ​reserve spot. Discounts available for additional siblings.

$250 a month for weekly after school care (5 days a week)

If neither of these options meet your need please send me a message requesting a quot​e and specifics on what you are looking ​for.

Afternoon Club​s/Classes

$120 per child per class/club - Once a week classes/clubs that runs for a semester. This is​ a one time fee for th​e semester.

Homeschool Flex Days

$75 (Quarterly/ per child) for one flex day a week and $150 for two flex days. Flex days ​must be chosen in advance at the start of the quarter.

Ki​ds Coaching Appts

$15 per child for 30 min appointment

$30 per child for 60 min appointment

Individual 1:1 coaching with kids for a variety of support (Social Emotional, ​Christian/Spiritual, Life Skills, or ​additional special needs services.)

What is Self Directed Learning?

Unleashing the power of curiosity and nurturing it's potential, that's what student-led learning is all ​about. It's a journey where learners are in the driver's seat, navigating their own educational adventure. ​They pick the destinations, the routes, and the speed. In this realm, a child's passion becomes their ​compass, guiding their exploration and thirst for knowledge. As teachers, we're their co-pilots. We're ​there to fuel their journey, lending a hand when needed, but never taking over the controls. This ​approach doesn't just equip students with knowledge, it also arms them with the skills to keep learning, ​adapting, and growing in a world that's always in motion.

What is a Microschool?

In the heart a microschool you find close knit learning hubs that put students at the center of their ​education. Not your usual classroom setting, these small-scale schools trade large student numbers for ​the luxury of personalized attention. Each student's unique needs, interests, and learning pace are at the ​forefront, making education a tailor-made journey, not a one-size-fits-all. Microschools mix innovative ​teaching, hands-on experiences and real-world lessons, igniting a passion for learning. If you're in Koscius​ko County and are considering an alternative to traditional schooling or homeschooling, my doors are ​open. I offer flexibility, support, and a vibrant educational setting that's as unique as each child wh​o walks through our ​d​oors.

Still have questions? Check out the National Microschool Center Info Flyer here. Or watch this ​youtube pl​aylist.

What do your services cost?

Pursuing educational opportunities that won't break the bank? You're in the right place. We're all about ​providing families with budget-friendly educational solutions. The cost? Well, that depends on the service ​you're looking for. But here's my promise to you - I'll work hand in hand to craft a plan that won't stretch ​your wallet too thin. Please visit the tuition page for more details, and reach to me if you have further questio​ns or don’t see an option that meets your n​e​ed.

If affordability is a concern, explore our resources on accessing state funding for children with sp​ecial needs or an IEP. Excitingly, siblings are now eligible for state funding as well. Visit the page for detai​ls on eligibility criteria and application procedures. Keep in mind that there is a deadline for applications, ​so be sure to look into it if you are intere​sted.

Is​ Your Microschool Accredited?

At my microschool, I prioritize freedom and innovation in my teaching methods, providing a unique and ​personalized learning experience for every student. As such, I am not an accredited school and do not plan ​to seek accreditation. The standards required for accreditation often impose constraints that can limit the ​flexibility and creativity of my educational approach. By remaining non-accredited, I can continue to focus ​on fostering an environment where children thrive through hands-on learning, individualized attention, and ​a curriculum that adapts to their needs and interests. I believe this approach better serves our students and ​prepares them for a dynamic and ever-changing world.

Ho​w will you know my child is learning without grades or tests?

I’m all about learning that goes beyond the report card. Grades and tests? They're just a part of the story. I ​gauge learning progress through various means - observing, offering tailored feedback, project-based ​evaluations, and building student portfolios that give a full view of their growth. I’ll keep parents in the loop, ​sharing the ups, the downs, and every exciting turn in between. This approach doesn't just track academic ​progress - it nurtures critical thinking, sparks creativity, and cultivates a passion for learning that lasts a ​lifetime.

Ho​w will your microschool set my child up for success in the future?

My microschool’s emphasis on interest-led learning equips students with the skills and mindset necessary ​for success as young adults. By allowing students to explore their passions and interests, we foster intrinsic ​motivation and a love for learning that lasts a lifetime. This personalized approach helps students develop ​critical thinking, problem-solving, and self-directed learning skills, which are essential in today's rapidly ​changing world. Moreover, our project-based and experiential learning methods encourage collaboration, ​creativity, and real-world application of knowledge. As a result, students not only master academic content ​but also gain the confidence and adaptability needed to thrive in higher education, careers, and all aspects ​of their lives.

Do​es your microschool offer anything for middle or high school students?

During this initial launch phase, our primary focus is on K-5th education, with plans to broaden our scope in ​the future. We also understand that school grades may put students in a box that doesn't reflect them. ​If you have an older student who you believe would thrive in this setting, please don't hesitate to co​ntact us for​ a discussion.

Do​es your microschool have a religious affiliation?

Our microschool is a place of discovery, grounded in the Christian tradition. We journey together and part of ​that is exploring biblical teachings and nurturing spiritual growth. Not tied to any particular denomination,​ we foster an environment of reflection, encouraging questions and curiosity about faith. We welcome​ families from all paths of life and don't require parents to align with our faith statement. However, it's​ essential for parents to be at peace with our faith-infused approach during enrollment. This openness​ allows every student to dive deep and actively engage in the spiritual facets of our vibrant school​ community.​